(270d) Biomass Gasification in Fluidized Beds: Current Challenges and Advances

Fluidized bed technology applied to gasification of woody biomass can produce heat, power, liquid fuels, hydrogen and value-added chemicals with positive environmental impacts. Recent advances in this area include a culmination of fundamental and applied research leading to industrial development at pilot and demonstration scales. One of the hurdles affecting biomass utilization is the cost related to pre-treatment, biomass gasification, gas clean-up and downstream process. Novel technologies such as improved gasification conversion and destruction of tarts are required to improve the economics of the processes. Sorbent enhanced gasification advantageously combines CO2 capture with gasification. This talk highlights the state of the technology with experiences in tar cracking catalyst development, lime-enhanced gasification and community engagement through operation of two gasifiers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, while tracing the extraordinary contributions Prof. Horio has had in many aspects of the biomass utilization, fluidization and broader energy systems innovation.